World War 3 fears: Russia threatens MISSILE RETALIATION against US after treaty exit

RUSSIA has threatened to use powerful missiles in retaliation to President Donald Trump’s announcement that the US is scrapping the 1987 Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty, sparking further fears a World War 3 will break out between the two power countries.

Russian President Vladimir Putin announced Moscow would respond to the move by the US (Image: GETTY)

Russian President Vladimir Putin announced Moscow would respond to the move by the US using sophisticated Kalibr and Zircon missiles. Sources close to the Russian President told Russian daily newspaper Kommersant a hypersonic ground-based medium-range missile will be created "on the basis of the 3M22 Zircon product developed by the research and production association NPO Mashinostroyeniya". The source, who has not been named, added: “The range of the sea-based Kalibr-NK missile will stand 2,600 kilometres in case of deploying it to land. “This missile will use Kalibr missile launchers, which is why the cost of research and development will not be very expensive.”

The comments come amid President Putin's announcement that Moscow would respond accordingly to the US fallout of the INF Treaty.

He said during a meeting between Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu on Saturday: “US partners have announced that they were suspending their participation in the Treaty, and we are suspending it as well. They have announced that they are engaged in research and development, and we will do the same thing.”

But he also said despite threats of missiles, Russia would not be drawn into a new arms race with the US.

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The news comes after US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said Washington would suspend obligations under the INF Treaty and begin a six-month withdrawal process following claims Russia’s 9M729 missile violates the alliance, which bans missiles with ranges of 500-5,000km (310-3,106miles).

Speaking of the withdrawal, Mr Lavrov said: ”I don't think we're talking about the development of a Cold War.

“A new era has begun."

Mike Pompeo said Washington would suspend obligations under the INF Treaty (Image: GETTY)

Russia denied they had violate the Treaty.

The US withdrawal also came as a shake up for Europe.

German parliament and key figure in the European parliament Manfred Weber tweeted: “The announced suspension of the INF-treaty by the United States is an urgent wakeup call for Europe.